Nintendo’s Switch 2 becomes the fastest-selling console in company history, hitting 3.5 million global sales in four days and setting new industry benchmarks.
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| Nintendo’s upgraded Switch 2 console outpaces all competitors, boasting rapid sales and new tech features that mark a turning point in the gaming industry. Image: Nintendo/ CH |
Kyoto, Japan — June 12, 2025:
Nintendo has announced that its newest console, the Switch 2, has set a historic milestone as the fastest-selling gaming system in the company’s history. In just four days since its global release last Thursday, the hybrid console sold over 3.5 million units, breaking not only Nintendo’s own records but also setting a new benchmark in the gaming industry, according to a Nintendo statement.
The upgraded device—featuring a larger screen, eight times more memory, stronger processing power, and magnetically-attached controllers—enhances the versatility that made the original Switch a household favorite. The original model, which launched in 2017 and gained massive traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, has sold over 152 million units to date.
According to Nintendo, the Switch 2 achieved “the highest global sales level for any Nintendo hardware within the first four days.” That figure surpasses both the original Switch (2.7 million units in its first month) and Sony’s PlayStation 5 (3.4 million in its first month), making the Switch 2 the most successful hardware launch in console history.
The console’s release was met with massive consumer enthusiasm—sold-out preorders, midnight launch events, and long lines at retailers worldwide. But the real challenge lies ahead: sustaining long-term sales momentum.
Darang Candra, director at games market research firm Niko Partners, cautioned that “sales momentum will be difficult to sustain,” suggesting some consumers may have rushed to buy before potential U.S. tariffs affect pricing. He noted the importance of Nintendo maintaining high engagement through new game titles and expanding into emerging markets like Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The Switch 2 is priced at $449.99 in the United States, significantly higher than the original’s $299.99. Nintendo is offering a more affordable, Japan-only version at 49,980 yen (about $350). The company attributes the higher U.S. price to supply chain considerations and potential tariffs under President Donald Trump’s trade policy, with most North American units manufactured in Vietnam.
New game releases designed to leverage the Switch 2’s capabilities include Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World, both offering expansive off-grid exploration and online multiplayer options. Additionally, new features such as in-game voice chat and temporary game sharing target younger audiences influenced by streaming culture.
Despite ventures into theme parks and cinematic productions, gaming still accounts for nearly 90% of Nintendo’s revenue. With projections of 15 million units sold by March 2026, the Switch 2’s success is critical not only to Nintendo’s bottom line but to its future as a global entertainment powerhouse.